Back button focusing

Happysnapper79

Happysnapper79

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Hello all, having read a few articles the past week about using back button focusing I thought I would give it a go, reluctantly. Why did I wait this long? I can't believe how quickly I adapted to it and how much easier it makes focusing for a range of situations.

If anyone reading this hasn't tried it I would advise giving it a go.

Anyone tried it and didn't get on with it?
 
I've (relatively) recently switched to BBF too, and like you, it's a bit like a revelation! - I'm sure I've not mastered it 100%, but I have found it's very useful!
 
It's like it's a piece of a jigsaw that's been missing. I find it makes composing a shot much easier.
 
Not all cameras make it obvious how to do it.
On my little Fuji X20 you need to set the camera to manual and set the menu to make ael/efl button to exposure only.
then when ever it is pressed it achieves focus and holds it there. But does not lock the exposure.

In many situations I use it the other way round and have the same button to only lock exposure, and use the shutter button for focus.
Ideally I would like a button for each function so that I could lock each independently.
 
I too switched to BBF a few months ago, surprised how easily I adapted to it. I have programmed it under U1 setting so can easily revert to normal focusing if need but can't think why I would.
 
Pookeyhead said:
How does it make composing a shot easier?
Click to expand...

It doesn't does it - but I guess it means he can use the best (centre) focus point and recompose ???

I've used BBF in the past and found it to make no difference to how I work so I've not bothered to set it up on the newer cameras, what I prefer to use it for is exposure lock in Aperture Priority mode

Dave
 
Pookeyhead said:
How does it make composing a shot easier? ,
DG Phototraining said:
It doesn't does it - but I guess it means he can use the best (centre) focus point and recompose ???

I've used BBF in the past and found it to make no difference to how I work so I've not bothered to set it up on the newer cameras, what I prefer to use it for is exposure lock in Aperture Priority mode

Dave
Click to expand...
:plus1: thats what i use it for...
Click to expand...
 
DG Phototraining said:
It doesn't does it - but I guess it means he can use the best (centre) focus point and recompose ???
Click to expand...

Can't you do that when focusing with the shutter release button?
 
I meant that I can set the focal point and then recompose without the camera re focusing when the shutter is half depressed. It also means that I can leave my camera in AF-C for the majority of situations if not all.

It won't be to everyone's liking but I think it's really useful.
 
A lot depends on the capabilities and layout of the camera too.
 
Pookeyhead said:
Can't you do that when focusing with the shutter release button?
Click to expand...
You can so long as you don't let go of the shutter button - and why would anyone want to keep their finger on the shutter button.

The most frustrating shot I've ever taken was in the Lencarta studio using Garry's camera on a massive stand. With BBF I'd have focussed once and been good to go, but every time I walked away from the stand to adjust a light or element of the scene I had to move the camera to re-focus and then lock it down again (utterly frustrating).

I know the answer to that is 'switch the lens to Manual' but WTF! In Manual focus days I never had to keep hold of the focus ring after I'd focussed. I just focussed and shot, re-focussed if I moved or the subject moved. That's what seperating the focus from the shutter button gives me, and using a camera without it feels like the camera is in charge of how I should shoot.
 
I tried it, didn't see the point so went back to normal shutter button focusing. It made focusing no easier at all.
 
Don't think you can use it with a remote or wired trigger. Makes long exposures difficult.
 
Happysnapper79 said:
It also means that I can leave my camera in AF-C for the majority of situations if not all.
Click to expand...

This and what Phil said.

With shoot on release set for continuous focussing you get the best of both single and continuous focusing worlds - plus manual override. What's not to like? I found it clicked into place immediately when It ired it. It's not as if it's as tricky as rubbing your belly and patting your head at the same time!

In single focus mode I have the camera to shoot on focus - so I can use trap focus (or whatever it's called). This for Nikon DSLRs - other cameras vary.
 
I switched to BBF years ago, although I do sometimes change it to back to shutter button focus if someone else is going to use the camera for a few shots and they're not familiar with it. I actually prefer MF, just forget about focus points, and turn the lens ring until the scene snaps into focus; but it's much more difficult with the small/dim viewfinder of a crop body and lenses that aren't designed for it.
 
Phil V said:
You can so long as you don't let go of the shutter button - and why would anyone want to keep their finger on the shutter button.
Click to expand...

I don't see what it matters if you keep your finger on the back button, or the shutter button, you still need to keep your finger on a button. If you back button focus, then let go, it will still refocus when you press the shutter, surely.

Phil V said:
The most frustrating shot I've ever taken was in the Lencarta studio using Garry's camera on a massive stand. With BBF I'd have focussed once and been good to go, but every time I walked away from the stand to adjust a light or element of the scene I had to move the camera to re-focus and then lock it down again (utterly frustrating).
Click to expand...

You could have focused, then just switched AF off :)

Phil V said:
I know the answer to that is 'switch the lens to Manual' but WTF! In Manual focus days I never had to keep hold of the focus ring after I'd focussed.
Click to expand...

You don't now. Why do you need to keep hold of the focus ring?



Can't help but feel I'm missing something here. I know back button focusing is good for AF-C and high speed stuff, but as I don't do any of that, I'm just not seeing the advantage of back button focusing. I have it, I've used it. I can take it or leave it if I'm honest.
 
Pookeyhead said:
I don't see what it matters if you keep your finger on the back button, or the shutter button, you still need to keep your finger on a button. If you back button focus, then let go, it will still refocus when you press the shutter, surely.
Click to expand...
No it doesn't, the back button locks focus,the shutter button surprisingly enough operates the shutter.
 
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Pookeyhead said:
I don't see what it matters if you keep your finger on the back button, or the shutter button, you still need to keep your finger on a button. If you back button focus, then let go, it will still refocus when you press the shutter, surely.
.
Click to expand...
Because I don't have to keep my thumb on the back button, I never have to touch it till I want to. No it won't refocus when I press the shutter, that would be just stupid.

Pookeyhead said:
You could have focused, then just switched AF off :)
You don't now. Why do you need to keep hold of the focus ring?
Can't help but feel I'm missing something here. I know back button focusing is good for AF-C and high speed stuff, but as I don't do any of that, I'm just not seeing the advantage of back button focusing. I have it, I've used it. I can take it or leave it if I'm honest.
Click to expand...

But switching off AF is an extra step.
That's my point, you don't have to keep hold of a focus ring, so why should you have to hold down a button.

For me it makes more sense for still stuff (as above) focus once, keep shooting.

For high speed stuff you don't take your finger off the shutter button anyway, so there's not so much gain.
 
The biggest issue i had while trying it was when passing the camera to someone else to take a photo, it was pointless trying to explain how to use it.
 
robj20 said:
The biggest issue i had while trying it was when passing the camera to someone else to take a photo, it was pointless trying to explain how to use it.
Click to expand...
Oddly all my kids know 'that's how a camera works'. :thinking:
 
Phil V said:
Because I don't have to keep my thumb on the back button, I never have to touch it till I want to. No it won't refocus when I press the shutter, that would be just stupid.
Click to expand...

Must be something you have to set then , because I can focus with either back button or shutter button on my D800. That' how it's set as default. So if I back button focus and let go, it will refocus when I press the shutter. I've not really looked into it. The way I shoot hasn't really given me much call for exploring any further. I just use the shutter button focusing.

crofter said:
No it doesn't, the back button locks focus,the shutter button surprisingly enough operates the shutter.
Click to expand...

Not on mine. I can focus with the rear AF-On... let go, and when I press the shutter it will refocus if necessary. You'd have to press AF-On and hold it to prevent the camera refocusing when you press the shutter. I'm assuming that's something I'd need to set.

As I said to Phil. Never looked into it. I can't imagine what advantage it would afford me and the kind of work I do. Probably why I've never been too bothered about "professional" bodies I suppose.


[edit]

Ahhh.... Custom Menu a4.. LOL. Ignore everything I've said above.

I'm still not gonna use it. No point for me. I'm too used to actually using the correct AF point, and I'm pretty fast at choosing which one I need now.
 
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I like the ability to stop focusing when I need to. Common examples for me are through a harp strings or a birdcage veil. It just easier (I find) then locking the focus, or switching to manual focus and back when you need to
 
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boyfalldown said:
I like to ability to stop focusing when I need to. Common examples for me are through a harp strings or a birdcage veil. It just easier (I find) then locking the focus, or switching to manual focus and back when you need to
Click to expand...
Quite so,very useful for wildlife shots when the subject is in cover similarly.
 
boolean said:
My two daughters who have now inherited my 50D and 40D don't know any other way to focus, crafty dad has all the cameras set on bbf ;)
Click to expand...

And your proud of that? Way to go Dad. Personally I;d give them a choice.
 
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Phil V said:
Oddly all my kids know 'that's how a camera works'. :thinking:
Click to expand...
boolean said:
My two daughters who have now inherited my 50D and 40D don't know any other way to focus, crafty dad has all the cameras set on bbf ;)
Click to expand...

Sure. If you teach a novice/child BBF from the start, it just becomes part of learning how to use the camera. It becomes instinctive, and they won't realise that's there's an alternative unless you teach them that too, or they find out from some other source.

The thing is, DSLRs normally come from the factory with shutter button focus and exposure lock enabled as the default. Many (most?) people never find out that you can change this in the menus, and have no reason to do so. My daughter is grown up and has a better 'eye' than I do. She takes very good photographs, but she's not interested in photography as such. The default works for her, and it's never going to cross her mind that there might be another way to focus.
 
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Of course they have a choice, my eldest has just finished her A level photography and course the she used the college cameras many times. It's just easier to have all 3 cameras setup like this in the house
 
MartynK said:
Sure. If you teach a novice/child BBF from the start, it just becomes part of learning how to use the camera. It becomes instinctive, and they won't realise that's there's an alternative unless you teach them that too, or they find out from some other source.

The thing is, DSLRs normally come from the factory with shutter button focus and exposure lock enabled as the default. Many (most?) people never find out that you can change this in the menus, and have no reason to do so. My daughter is grown up and has a better 'eye' than I do. She takes very good photographs, but she's not interested in photography as such. The default works for her, and it's never going to cross her mind that there might be another way to focus.
Click to expand...
There's a counter intuitive argument. They use my cameras, to them it's simple, I'd be complicating things if I started to explain an alternative, which as you say is quite complex to change (for a novice).

I still contend that BBF is just simpler, there's no logical reason to link together the acts of focussing and shutter release.
 
Phil V said:
There's a counter intuitive argument. They use my cameras, to them it's simple, I'd be complicating things if I started to explain an alternative, which as you say is quite complex to change (for a novice).

I still contend that BBF is just simpler, there's no logical reason to link together the acts of focussing and shutter release.
Click to expand...

Sure, I'm not arguing with you at all. I use BBF too, and I grew up with manual SLRs which didn't give you any choice. I'd also use MF a lot more than I do, if my camera and lenses were designed for it.

I don't think my point was counter intuitive though. Your cameras are set up for BBF, and you taught your kids how to use them, so it became intuitive. It is simple, works very well, and they probably wouldn't even find out about shutter release focus unless someone told them, or they read about it/explored the menus. That's very similar to someone buying a camera and just using the defaults, because they don't know there's an alternative.
 
I could not get used to focus with BBF because I thought whats the point in fumbling to focus then pushing the shutter button, when shutter button can do it in one,
and with focus with BBF you have to be in AFC so how would it work for say motorbike racing, perhaps I am not fully understanding it,
 
wallyboy said:
I could not get used to focus with BBF because I thought whats the point in fumbling to focus then pushing the shutter button, when shutter button can do it in one,
and with focus with BBF you have to be in AFC so how would it work for say motorbike racing, perhaps I am not fully understanding it,
Click to expand...
Clearly not :p

The shutter button 'doing it in one' sometimes means that you might relax your grip then have to refocus. Or you might want to remove your finger to do something else, the camera will then need you to refocus etc etc.

AFC is exactly what you need when shooting bike racing. But you can choose any of the focus modes you feel like. ;)
 
Phil V said:
Clearly not :p

The shutter button 'doing it in one' sometimes means that you might relax your grip then have to refocus. Or you might want to remove your finger to do something else, the camera will then need you to refocus etc etc.

AFC is exactly what you need when shooting bike racing. But you can choose any of the focus modes you feel like. ;)
Click to expand...

so if you press BBF to lock on a bike say, it tracks it until you are ready to push shutter release for that super dooper bike pic:)
 
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